Apparatus and method for chemical and biological agent sensing

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for identification of a chemical or a biological agent using a handheld or portable unit in non-laboratory conditions. More specifically, the system uses a portable unit containing an array of tunable lasers, which are stabilized with a digital controller. The apparatus excites the sample under test with a narrow band light source used to excite fluorescence. The fluorescent response is detected with a broadband detector and digitized. The information is then sent through wireless means to a remote server where a database of appropriate signatures is used to determine the identity of the sample. The results are sent back to the portable unit or to a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA).

1 . A system for sensing biological and chemical agents of a sample with a portable sensor, comprising: 
 one or more tunable lasers;    a controller configured to tune the one or more tunable lasers to one or more wavelengths within a predetermined spectrum of wavelengths, and further configured to control said one or more tunable lasers to provide light to the sample at the one or more wavelengths during a period of time; and    a detector disposed to receive the spectrum of light emitted from the irradiated sample, said detector configured to generate data based on the received light for use in determining sample information on the bio-chemicals of the sample.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an optical head disposed to receive light from said one or more tunable lasers and configured to propagate a focused beam of light to the sample.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a wavelength tuning element connected to said one or more tunable lasers, said wavelength tuning element configured to receive a signal from said controller and tune the wavelength of said one or more tunable lasers to produce light at the one or more wavelengths during a period of time.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said wavelength tuning element comprises a temperature control element to control the temperature of the said one or more tunable lasers.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a transceiver connected to said detector, said transceiver configured to receive the data from said detector and transmit the data to another location for analysis.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an analysis system that receives the data, said analysis system configured to access spectrum identification information, determine sample information using the data and the spectrum identification information, and provide the sample information for determining an action to be taken regarding the sample.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising a mobile communication device configured to receive the data from said transceiver, store the data, and transmit the data to an analysis system.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said mobile communication device is further configured to receive the sample information from an analysis system.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 a mobile communication device configured to receive the data from said transceiver, store the data, and transmit the data; and    an analysis system that receives the data from the mobile communication device, said analysis system configured to access spectrum identification information, determine sample information using the data and the spectrum identification information, and provide the sample information for determining an action to be taken regarding the sample.    
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said tunable lasers comprise an array.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said analysis system comprises a computer; and 
 a chemical compound library or database residing on said computer, wherein said chemical compound library or database comprises spectrum identification information.    
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said detector comprises a spectrum analyzer.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said detector comprises a charge coupled device.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said detector comprises a photodiode.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said optical head provides the beam of light to the sample in situ.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising a power source that supplies power to said transceiver, said controller, said one or more lasers, and said detector.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said detector collects the light emitted from the sample due to fluorescence of the illuminated sample.  
     
     
         18 . A system for sensing biological and chemical agents of a sample with a portable sensor, comprising: 
 means for illuminating a sample using one or more tunable lasers over a spectrum of wavelengths;    means for receiving light emitted from the illuminated sample; and    means for generating data based on the received light for analysis.    
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , further comprising means for analyzing the data to determine biological and chemical information relating to the sample.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , further comprising means for transmitting the data to an analysis system to determine sample information.  
     
     
         21 . A method of sensing biological and chemical agents of a sample, the method comprising: 
 providing light from one or more tunable lasers to a sample;    receiving light emitted from the sample resulting from said providing light;    generating data based on the received light; and    analyzing the data to determine bio-chemical information relating to the sample.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the received light comprises a fluorescence response to the provided light.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the light is provided to the sample in situ.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising providing the bio-chemical information to an operator.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein providing light from one or more tunable lasers comprises adjusting a wavelength tuning element.  
     
     
         26 . A system for sensing biological and chemical agents of a sample with a portable sensor, comprising: 
 a plurality of sensors, each sensor comprising 
 one or more tunable lasers;  
 a controller configured to tune the one or more tunable lasers to one or more wavelengths within a predetermined spectrum of wavelengths, and further configured to control said one or more tunable lasers to provide light to the sample at the one or more wavelengths during a period of time;  
 a detector disposed to receive the spectrum of light emitted from the irradiated sample, said detector configured to generate data based on the received light for use in determining sample information on the bio-chemicals of the sample;  
 a transceiver connected to said detector, said transceiver configured to receive the data from said detector and transmit the data to another location for analysis; and  
 a communication hub in data communication with the plurality of sensors, said hub configured to receive data from the plurality of sensors and transmit the data to an analysis system to determine sample information.  
   
     
     
         27 . A method of manufacturing a portable sensor for sensing biological and chemical agents of a sample, comprising: 
 providing one or more tunable lasers;    coupling a controller to said one or more tunable lasers, said controller configured to tune the one or more tunable lasers to one or more wavelengths within a predetermined spectrum of wavelengths, and further configured to control said one or more tunable lasers to provide light to the sample at the one or more wavelengths during a period of time; and    positioning a detector to receive the spectrum of light emitted from the irradiated sample, said detector configured to generate data based on the received light for use in determining sample information on the bio-chemicals of the sample.    
     
     
         28 . A portable sensor manufactured by the method of  claim 27.